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10 Things Going on in Cleveland this Weekend (May 8 - 10)

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If you’re sauntering through Tremont this evening for the monthly art walk — an especial pleasure during the springtime — stop by Visible Voice books to hear Kevin Keating read. He’s a local novelist who was featured in Scene’s inaugural fiction issue last year. His first book, The Natural Order of Things, chronicles the lives of the students and faculty at a Jesuit prep school in a dying industrial town. To the surprise of no one, Keating is a St. Ignatius High School alum. The author event is from from 5 to 8 p.m. and coincides with Visible Voice’s Friday Happy Hour — $1 off all beer and wine. Also enjoy music from the Luckey Ones during and after the reading. (Allard)

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At an event dubbed California Dreamin’: Celebrating a Half Century of Craft Brewing on the Coast, West Point Market in Akron pays tribute to the Golden State’s many fine breweries. Breweries such as Anchor Steam, Anderson Valley, Ballast Point, Bear Republic, Green Flash, Knee Deep, Lagunitas, Mission, Sierra Nevada, Stone and 21st Amendment will all be represented. There also will be live music and food. The event takes place tonight from 7 to 9 and tickets are $30 in advance, $35 the day of the event. (Niesel)

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Widely recognized as a pioneer in the jazz-rock and acid-jazz movements, keyboardist Brian Auger started his career on a different track. He began performing at jazz piano bars in his native England in the early ’60s and even won a Melody Maker award for his playing in 1964. But then he discovered the organ and started dressing differently. Once he began wearing Carnaby Street clothes, he fit in more with rock crowds. After playing with guys like Sonny Boy Williamson and Jimmy Page, Auger formed Oblivion Express to further break down the boundaries between rock and jazz. He eventually disbanded the group and planned to support Eric Burdon on a tour, but that didn’t last long. Auger re-launched Oblivion Express in the mid-’90s with son Karma on drums. He makes frequent appearances in Cleveland, which has always supported him, and enjoys sharing stories from his classic-rock past. Tonight’s shows are part of a three-night stand at Nighttown. $25

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MOCA has partnered with Lakeview Cemetery for a one-of-a-kind tour called Angels to Arrow Signs; it will take you through a 145-year history exploring the way symbols and imagery have been used to represent death and beliefs about death. Participants will meet on the first floor of MOCA and then be picked up and transported by Lolly the Trolley to the cemetery. This is part of the ongoing exhibition and event series entitled DIRGE: Reflections on [Life and] Death and tour times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today only. Tickets are $15 and must be paid for online prior to the event. (Trenholme)

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Now in its fifth year, the Hooley, an annual event that takes place at Kamm’s Corners in West Park, rivals St. Patrick’s Day. The name is Irish slang for party and the event lives up to the billing. From noon until 8 p.m., Kamm’s Corners will be closed to traffic from West 165th Street to Rocky River Drive so vendors can set up a variety of food and entertainment booths. The Rugby Target Throw contest is always popular and the family stage will feature karate demonstrations and dance performances. Plus, a slew of local bands are slated to perform, and the Guinness will be flowing at the terrific collection of bars and pubs on the street. A good time for all ages. Admission is free. (Niesel)

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At a time when everything is prefabricated, the 11th bi-annual Emporium of the Weird seems all the more enticing. As its name implies, the event, which takes place at the John S. Knight Center in Akron today from noon to 10 p.m., features jewelry, sculpture and ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, glass, textile pieces and more. This year, organizers have added the Oddmall Comic and Toy Expo featuring more than 100 comic, toy, game, vintage, pop-culture, and other sci-fi related stuff. Local bands such as ShiSho, Tonks & the Aurors, 2d6, Kevin Conaway and Steve Trent will perform. Special-effects makeup artists David Henson Greathouse and Beki Ingram from SyFy’s Face Off will be on hand as will King of the Nerds contestant Alana Smith-Brown and comic illustrator Dan Gorman. Admission is free. (Niesel)

Cinco de Mayo has come and gone but if you still want to get your drink on, head on over to Zocalo for the third annual Tequila Festival. The event, which takes place from 1 to 5 p.m., features tequila tasting, appetizers and educational presentations (during which we hope to learn what the heck is the deal with the worm). The Margarita Showdown features local margarita makers in head-to-head battles. Tickets start at $30. (Niesel)

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The monthly Gospel Brunch has been a spiritual Sunday staple for years at the House of Blues. Created by famed gospel singer Kirk Franklin, the recently reinvigorated show puts a bit more emphasis on the music. Today, the group Lafayette Carthon and Faith performs. Starting at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the all-you-can-eat musical extravaganza features Southern classics like chicken jambalaya, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. Tickets range from $18 to $38. (Niesel)

Combining their first two EPs and adding several new tunes, Crosses released their debut album earlier this year. The minimalist electronic band — Deftones’ Chino Moreno, Far’s Shaun Lopez, Chuck Doom — has put together a formidable sound, and it’s clear that each musician here is really enjoying the project. A question hangs in the air, though, regarding the sheer self-indulgence of Moreno. The band’s eponymous album is filled with fine tunes, but there’s little evidence to support the claim that Moreno actually is a great songwriter (see those first three Deftones albums, in particular, or even Team Sleep’s 2005 outing). While providing some evocative electronic musings, Crosses may actually have an identity crisis. Plenty have pointed out the odd typography in the band’s name, which just adds confusion to the hodgepodge of musical styles contained within. 8:30 p.m. House of Blues. (Eric Sandy)

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Probably the best way to kick-start the week is by shaking your ass uncontrollably at Shake It Down, B-Side’s bitchin’ Sunday night electronic shows. DJs Eso and Corey Grand join forces to spin anything and everything: funk, soul, hip-hop, trap, drum and bass, and all sorts of similarly ill shit. Grand’s cred speaks for itself: “Sucka Free Since ’88.” And that same sentiment goes for the Sunday-night throwdown as a whole. Work your way across Coventry all weekend and wrap up the party at B-Side. The DJs start spinning at 10 p.m. (Eric Sandy)

At a time when everything is prefabricated, the 11th bi-annual Emporium of the Weird seems all the more enticing. As its name implies, the event, which takes place at the John S. Knight Center in Akron today from noon to 10 p.m., features jewelry, sculpture and ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, glass, textile pieces and more. This year, organizers have added the Oddmall Comic and Toy Expo featuring more than 100 comic, toy, game, vintage, pop-culture, and other sci-fi related stuff. Local bands such as ShiSho, Tonks & the Aurors, 2d6, Kevin Conaway and Steve Trent will perform. Special-effects makeup artists David Henson Greathouse and Beki Ingram from SyFy’s Face Off will be on hand as will King of the Nerds contestant Alana Smith-Brown and comic illustrator Dan Gorman. Admission is free. (Niesel)